HomeMicrosoft Paint to Introduce Native Project Files, Rivaling Photoshop
Microsoft has consistently enhanced its Paint application for Windows 11 in recent years, introducing features like dark mode, transparency and layers, and even AI-driven image generation. Now, two new capabilities reminiscent of Photoshop are coming to Paint.
Soon, you will be able to save your Paint designs as project files, similar to Photoshop Documents (.PSD). The feature is currently in testing with Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels. “Now you can save your work as an editable Paint project file and easily resume right where you stopped,” says Dave Grochocki, principal product manager lead for Microsoft's Windows inbox apps.
Soon, you will be able to save your Paint designs as project files. Image: MicrosoftAs you might expect, Paint files will use a .paint extension and will also store your layers within the file. “When you're ready to continue, just open the file in Paint and pick up exactly where you left off,” Grochocki explains.
Microsoft is also introducing opacity sliders to control the transparency of Paint's pencil and brush tools. "To begin, select one of the tools and adjust the slider on the left side of the canvas to set the opacity to your preference," Grochocki notes.
The new opacity sliders for the pencil and brush tools. Image: MicrosoftFor users of the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, Microsoft is adding a quick markup feature that simplifies annotating screenshots. The markup toolbar includes a highlighter, pen, and eraser, plus the option to easily re-crop an image.
Finally, Copilot Plus PC users will also get AI-powered writing, summarization, and rewriting as a free feature in Notepad. A Microsoft 365 subscription is not required, and you can “seamlessly switch between local and cloud models based on your needs,” according to Grochocki. The feature relies on the local AI models available on Copilot Plus PCs.
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Microsoft has consistently enhanced its Paint application for Windows 11 in recent years, introducing features like dark mode, transparency and layers, and even AI-driven image generation. Now, two new capabilities reminiscent of Photoshop are coming to Paint.
Soon, you will be able to save your Paint designs as project files, similar to Photoshop Documents (.PSD). The feature is currently in testing with Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels. “Now you can save your work as an editable Paint project file and easily resume right where you stopped,” says Dave Grochocki, principal product manager lead for Microsoft's Windows inbox apps.
As you might expect, Paint files will use a .paint extension and will also store your layers within the file. “When you're ready to continue, just open the file in Paint and pick up exactly where you left off,” Grochocki explains.
Microsoft is also introducing opacity sliders to control the transparency of Paint's pencil and brush tools. "To begin, select one of the tools and adjust the slider on the left side of the canvas to set the opacity to your preference," Grochocki notes.
For users of the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, Microsoft is adding a quick markup feature that simplifies annotating screenshots. The markup toolbar includes a highlighter, pen, and eraser, plus the option to easily re-crop an image.
Finally, Copilot Plus PC users will also get AI-powered writing, summarization, and rewriting as a free feature in Notepad. A Microsoft 365 subscription is not required, and you can “seamlessly switch between local and cloud models based on your needs,” according to Grochocki. The feature relies on the local AI models available on Copilot Plus PCs.
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